Theater counts: Garfield claws its way to widest release on a slow weekend at the box office

May 30, 2024

The Memorial Day weekend box office turned out to be a disappointment in what should have been a healthy four-day stretch to kick off the Summer movie season. Topping the domestic charts were two of the three newcomers, with Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga narrowly edging out The Garfield Movie, with $32.34 million to $31.26 million from Friday through Monday. This weekend will undoubtedly see the two reigning leaders remain on top, although there’s a good chance the roles will be reversed.

While there are no blockbuster films debuting this weekend, we nevertheless see four new wide releases launching in theaters across North America. The largest of the films making their cinematic arrivals this week is the latest from Roadside Attractions with the comedy feature Summer Camp. Beginning its run in 1,787 locations, the movie tells the story Nora, Ginny, and Mary, who have been best friends since being inseparable at summer camp. As the years have passed, they’ve seen each other less and less, so when the chance to reunite for a summer camp reunion arises, they all take it, some begrudgingly and others excitedly. The film stars Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard along with a plethora of veteran Hollywood actors.

Jumping into the fray with 1,426 locations this week is the Canadian horror feature, In a Violent Nature. The slasher film follows a mute killer who targets a group of teenagers in the Ontario wilderness.

Arriving in theaters for the first time this week is the Tony Goldwyn-directed comedy-drama, Ezra, starring Bobby Cannavale, Robert De Niro, and William Fitzgerald, who portrays the title character. Playing supporting roles, the film also includes Rose Byrne, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, and Rainn Wilson. Ezra will be available in 1,320 movie houses.

The last of our newcomers is the anime sports feature, Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle. Starting out in 1,119 venues, the volleyball drama has earned over $63 million in its home country after opening there in February.

Rounding out the top five widest releases this weekend is the aforementioned current box office leader Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, adding 60 locations this week for a total of 3,864 cinemas. In third place is IF, dropping below 4,000 theaters and landing in 3,783 locations this week. The fourth widest release this weekend is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, still showing in a solid 3,450 cinemas. Lastly, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s The Fall Guy can still be seen on the big screen as it is available in 2,824 theaters.

Looking ahead to next weekend, we see the launch of two wide releases as the latest film in the Bad Boys franchise hits theaters with the release of Bad Boys: Ride or Die. The action-comedy starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence is expected to open in approximately 3,500 theaters. Also opening in wide release next weekend is The Watchers, starring Dakota Fanning. The horror flick is expected to start out in approximately 3,200 locations.

Filed under: Theater Counts